Ground anchorage for fence or other posts



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

H. 0; HALL GROUND ANCHORAGE FOR FENCE 0R QTHER POSTS, SURVEYORS PEGS, 650.

No. 461,753 Patented Oct. 20, 1891.

(No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2. H. O. HALL. GROUND ANCHORAGE FOR FENCE OR OTHER POSTS, SURVEYORS PEGS, Gas.

No. 461,753. Patented Oct. 20, 1891.

UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

HENRY O. HALL, OF W'ASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

GROUND ANCHORAGE FOR FENCE OR OTHER POSTS, SURVEYORS PEGS, 81c.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 461,753, dated October 20, 1891.

Application filed January 16, 1891. Serial No. 378,003. (No model.)

' the following to be a full, clear, and exact de- 'scription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention has reference to an improvement in means for anchoring in the ground with rigidity and immovability the bottom ends of fence-posts, hitching-posts,,awning, electric-light, and telegraph poles, also surveyors pegs, tent-poles, tent-pegs, and other forms of posts, poles, or supports which are commonly made stationary by placing their lower ends within holes excavated in the ground, the object of my invention being to 1 enable a post or peg of any kind to be set in the ground quickly and to provide a device for this purpose which will be cheap, serviceable, durable, and having a'permanent rigidity and stationary character of such great excellence that it will be next to impossible to displace or remove it from its position after it has once been fixed; and the invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of parts, substantially as will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the annexed drawings, illustrating my invention, Figure 1 s'a vertical section of one form of my improved anchoring device for poles or pegs of all kinds, said form being the most common and adapted for use with any kind of a fence-post or other pole, it being shown in this figure as set in the ground, one of its grappling-pins being in position in the earth and the other shown as about being placed in position. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the same, showing all the grappling-pins in position. 'Fig. 0 is a perspective view of a slightly-modified form of the device particularly adapted for use as a surveyors peg. Fig. 4E isa perspective view of another form of the surveyors peg, having four sides, instead of being round, like the kind shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional elevational view of a still further modified form of fence-post, it being integral with the pointed anchoring part, which in this case is made solid, instead of hollow, as 1s the case in Fig. 1, and is provided with curved passages for the passage therethrough of the grappling pins or fingers. Fig. 6 1s an elevation of the fence-post with a portion of a wire fence connected thereto, said post being supported by my anchoring device, which is represented in Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a form of the device similar to that shown in F1g. a, the pointed anchoring part being solid and the post formed integral therewlth, there being certain differences in the shape and arrangement of the post and the pin-passages 1n the anchoring part. Fig. 8 is a perspective v ew of a modified form of a hollow peg or point, it having a looped, ribbed, or scalloped form. Fig. 9 is a perspective View of a part of the post which is adapted to enter the form of hollow peg shown in Fig. 8, sa d post be ng suitably shaped to conform to the pecuhar shape of the said hollow device. Flg. 10 1s a perspective View of a form of the device similar to that shown in Fig. 7, with the solid pointed part having four sides, instead of being conical, as in Fig. 7, there being a modification in the arrangement of the passages in the said peg part and a portion of fence being shown arranged in connection with the fence-post proper.

Similar letters of reference designate'corresponding parts throughoutall the different figures of the drawings.

In Figs. 1 and 2 I have shown the customary and more common form of my anchorage device, it being also represented in operative position in connection with a post and fence in Fig. 6. This general form consists of a hollow conical peg, box, or drive-bar A, having preferably a slightly-elongated point A, which is adapted to enter'the earth easily and thus be fixed in position without much labor. This hollow contrivance is designed to be driven into the earth with a few blows of a mallet or other device and caused to be almost completely embedded, its upper end projecting only a very slight distance above the earths surface. It can be made out of any suitable kind of metal and of any convenient length and diameter. 'lhe'purpose of this device is to afford a solid and immovable part, to which the fence-post or other similar pole can be connected quickly and surely and held there permanently. At a suitable point between the tip A and the upper end of the hollow device A its wall is rovided with several erforations CL2S&

through the perforations a in the manner shown in Fig. 1, and then be driven down bv a suitable plug inserted against them, and thus caused to pass out their whole length through the said holes a and thus to occupy the position shown in Fig.1, where one of them is seen firmly embedded through its entire length in the solid ground or earth. hen three or several of these firm metallic pins have thus been embedded in the ground, it will be clearly seen and understood that an exceedingly strong and unyielding connection will be made between the earth and the hollow part A. Not only will the hollow part A be fixed immot'ably by reason of its having been driven into the solid earth without any excavation being made, but this immovability will be supplemented and greatly augmented by the strong and firm connection in the earth of the grappling-fingers a. \Vhen these pins or fingers a have been fixed in place, the fence-post, either for city or country fences, a telegraph-pole, a hitching-post, in fact an upright of any kind and for any purpose, may have its lower end inserted into the open upper end of the hollow point A and be firmly connected thereto. In Fig. 6, E represents a post thus connected to the device A. A cap a may be inserted into the upper end of the peg when so desired.

In Figs. 1, 2, and 6 the hollow peg A is shown as having a round form; but its form is immaterial. It may be round, square, or any other shape, as is preferred. Sometimes when the round form is used small saplings, cut into suitable lengths and driven into the post-point and bolted therein, will form a permanent, substantial, and secure support for any ordinary farm-fence. There lumber is cheap and plentiful, a square post-point may be used to advantage and scantlings adopted for the post proper to be connected to the post-point. For lawn -fences in cities the post-point of this kind will be especially valuable. A fence of this kind being slight and not heavy or cumbersome, a square orround point with a slender iron post cast integral therewith, if preferred, will be found a very desirable kind of fence-post, for they can be driven and anchored on the lawns and parking without disturbing the grass plats or disfiguring the lawn with loose earth thrown up from unsightly post-holes, and when once planted in the solid soil they will remain perfectly fixed and rigid, capable of supporting any kind of fence-post which maybe needed. Of course the iron post maybe made separate from the post-point and then soldered thereinto in the same manner as is now done when granite or iron blocks are used for the foundations of posts. There is a very wide diversity of forms of post that may be used in connection with the post-point A and its equivalent modified variations. It is unnecessary to enumerate them here. A simple allusion will be sufficient, for it will be clearly evident that these post-points can be used for awningposts, hitching-posts, electric-light posts, and even telegraph-poles, and will be found especially valuable in paved cities, as they can be driven down without disturbing more than a few square inches of pavement, sufiicient only to allow them to be driven into the ground where they are securely anchored underneath the solid undisturbed pavement. They can be driven into the ground to any desired depth, and then by placing the grapplingpins in position great strength in the anchorage is secured.

Having thus described the leading and general form of thepost-point or hollow box or drive-bar, I will now proceed to describe only the slightly-different forms, which are all the equivalents of the first, and are simply given by way of illustration in order to exhibit more clearly how the leading features of the invention can be carried into practical effect in slightly-differing constructions.

In Fig. 5 we have a fence-post D cast integral with a conical post-point D, which postpoint, instead of being hollow, like the post point or peg A, is made solidthroughout,with the exception 'of a few (three or more) passages d, which are designed to receive pins or grappling-points similar to the pins a, (shown in Figs. 1 and 2,) diiferently shaped to suit the passages in which they lie. These passages (I run from the top of the post-point D to a suitableplace about midway of the point D, where they allow the pin (1' or 61 as the case may be, to emerge from the post and enter the earth, taking the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5. Pin (1 is shorter than pin (1 Pin d is made long enough, so that its head will remain at the top of the postpoint, while about half of it, say,is embedded in the earth. Referring now to Fig. '7, we will see that it has a construction somewhat similar to that shown in Fig. 5. The post F, however, is square, instead of round, like post D. The post F is cast integral with the conical post-point F, which point is provided with curved openings, which run from the top of-the post-point F to a suitable point about midway of the height of said point F.

These passages f are, however, curved differently from the passages (1, although the difference is not material, and the passages are all equivalents of each other.

Referring to Fig. 10, we find a structure quite similar to Fig. 7. The post G in Fig.

. then curving quickly at g they run to the opposite side of the post-point G. These passages g g are adapted to receive pins made .of strong wire or metal of some kind, and the idea is to have these pins driven into thepassages with a few firm strong blows, which will cause the pins to be bent as they pass through the curved portions g of the passages, and hence when the pins enter the earth they will be properly curved.

In Figs. 8 and 9 I have represented amodified form of the hollow. peg and the post adapted to be located within the same. H denotes the hollow peg, which is provided with ribs or looped sides h h, of which there are four, the interior of the peg being thus of the form of a cross when Viewed in horizontal section. This peg H is substantially the same as the peg A shown in Fig. 1. The only difference is the looped sides or ribs, of which there obviously may be any nun1ber three, four, or more, as may be' preferred. These ribs h are provided at suitable points with perforations, through which the grappling pins or fingers a a are adapted to pass in the manner shown in Fig.8. Idesignates a post having wings or blades I 1 of which there are four, properly shaped and constructed to adapt them to enter the interior of the ribbed peg H. Then the post I is placed within the peg H, the pins a, being forced out through the perforations into the earth, form a firm anchorage.

In Figs. 3 and 4: I have represented a form of the device which is especially adapted for use as a surveyors or triangulation peg. In

. Fig. 3, B denotes the peg, which is made 1101- low and similar to the hollow peg shown in Fig. 1, although it is preferably made straight for a portion of its length and then conical toward the end. This peg is provided with perforations and with the grappling-pins a. It is also provided with a cap 0. In Fig. 4 B of the device is similar to the form B of Fig. 3, the principal difference being that it is four-sided instead of round. It is likewise provided with the grappling-pins a and with a cap or plug C. This peg will be found to be of very great value for use as a surveyors stake or post, especially for triangulations. It will be found to possess great durability and indestructibility, there being an absolute assurance of permanence and imm'ovability, so that it cannot be transferred even a fraction of an inchfrom the location where it is driven by the surveyor. This will obviate a great amount of inconvenience and trouble which now often occurs in the use of surveyors pegs, thus obviating disputes and expensive lawsuits respecting division-lines and line fences and corners. After these pegs have once been driven down into the ground.

and the anchors adjusted it will be found impossible to remove them except by digging down and releasing the anchoring pins. Then these pegs are once fixed in place, they will remain for a long time without fear of decay or displacement. Not only can they not easily be withdrawn, but also they cannot be driven farther into the ground, since the grappling-pinswill serve as anchors to keep the pegs firm and immovable in any direction, either up or down, and thus they will form a firm, steady, and permanent m0nu ment to mark the points required by the surveyor or other person.

A particular feature of my improved anchoring device, to which I desire to direct special attention, is the fact that the grappling-pins being curved and loosely adjusted through 'the perforations will readily adjust themselves by turning to right or left when being driven into the ground, so as to avoid any hard object with which they may come in contact.

It will furthermore be noted that in order to facilitate the driving of the straight pins into the curved holes in the solid form of the post-point above described, and illustrated in Fig. 10, said pins may be heated, if desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. As an improvement in means for anchoring pegs, posts, poles, and the like, the combination, with a hollow-pointed and laterallyperforated drive peg or bar, of a suitable number of stiff independent headed metallic pins adapted to be placed by hand within the said hollow drive-peg from the upper open end thereof and then forced out through the lateral perforations by means of an independent removable dri ve-bar and thus caused to embed themselves in lateral positions in the surrounding earth, so as to firmly anchor the peg.

2. The combination, with the hollow post A, of suitable size and shape, having lateral perforations a suitable stiff pins or fingers a, said fingers being arranged independently within the hollow post and provided with heads and adapted to pass through said holes a and fix themselves in the earth, and a fence-post, pole, or other support adapted to have its lower end within the hollow of the peg A and be connected thereto by bolting or otherwise, substantially as described.

3. As an improvement in pegs for surveyors use, a hollow or solid drive-point having lateral perforations, in combination with a series of stiff independent fingers or pins adapted to pass freely through said perforations and embed themselves in the earth and a cap for the upper end of the said peg, sub- IIS material, said pointed drive-peg being pro being; bent so that they Will pass out into the whim). With it suitable number of elongated surrounding earth and occupy lateral posipassages running downward therein from the tions about the post to firmlyanchor and hold upper end of the said post, said passages bethe same. 5

tance and then curving abruptly near their presence of two Witnesses.

lower ends toward the sides of the post, and v 1 r stiff independent metallic pins adapted to be HLNRX HALL inserted into the upper ends of these pa s- IO sages and to be driven out quickly through the bent lower parts of the passages the pins \Vitnesses:

E. \V. \VATERS,

5 ing parallel to each other for a certain (5- I In testimony whereofIztifix mysiguaturein 1 WM. L. BOYDEN. 

